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Show The Intruders, 1550-1882 31 p Dominguez-Escalante Expedition The major Spanish expedition into Ute country was in 1776. In that year Catholic Fathers Francisco Atanasio Dominguez and Silvestre Velez de Escalante used the 1765 journal of Don Juan Rivera to guide them as far north as the Gunnison River. Then they proceeded further into the land of Teguayo as far north as the Green River and Utah Lake. They followed Indian trails and were led by Ute guides whom the Fathers named Silvestre and Joaquin.11 The expedition was planned to open a commercial trail to California from Santa Fe, New Mexico. Escalante also had dreams of establishing Indian missions throughout the area. The journal kept by the fathers was the first written description of the Ute lands and People. It was the only important account for another fifty years. The maps by Don Bernardo Miera y Pacheco were also the first of the area. The expedition found no great treasures, large cities, or wealthy kings. Instead, it found rich lands, plentiful game, and friendly, peaceable Indians. However, in 1778, Spaniards and Christianized Indians were prohibited from further trading with the Ute People. This law remained in effect until Mexican Independence in 1820, but many traders ignored it. The Ute People had been in a favorable position during the time that New Mexico was ruled by Spaniards, 1598-1820. Spaniards did not occupy very much of the Ute territory. The Ute People acquired new items from Europe: iron pots, steel knives, guns, and, particularly, the horse. But, the People were not under the control of Spanish armies and government. The Ute People were able to take advantage of the Spanish intruders. Fur trappers and traders With the 1820 revolt from Spain and the establishment of Mexico, the lands of the Ute People were opened to the fur trade. Initially, the Ute People were also able to take advantage of the intruders who came into Ute territory in search of furs. In 1822 Lechat, a Ute leader, came to Santa Fe to actually propose trade be established with the Americans, but little was done immediately.12 |
